Tamil Nadu: Heavy Rainfall Expected in 23 Districts on August 16, Yellow Warning Issued

CHENNAI: The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued a yellow warning for 23 districts in Tamil Nadu, forecasting heavy rainfall on August 16 (Friday) due to the influence of a trough and cyclonic circulation over the sea. The warning particularly covers the Western Ghats and interior districts for the next two days.

A trough extending from Rayalaseema to the Comorin area, now seen from south Telangana to a cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Kerala coast, is influencing the weather patterns. This system extends up to 1.5 km above mean sea level. Additionally, a cyclonic circulation over south Sri Lanka and its surrounding areas, which extended up to 4.5 km above mean sea level, has become less marked.

Due to these conditions, heavy rain is predicted for Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukottai, Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Ramanathapuram districts on Friday.

Intense rainfall is also expected on August 17 and 18 in Coimbatore, Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Tenkasi, Theni, Dindigul, Tiruppur, Nilgiris, Madurai, and Virudhunagar districts.

In Chennai and its suburbs, light showers are anticipated in some areas over the next two days.

The RMC has also advised Tamil Nadu fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea until August 18 (Sunday) due to expected squally weather, with wind speeds gusting up to 55 kmph over the Gulf of Mannar, the southern Tamil Nadu coast, and adjoining Comorin area.